The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (1791) is an account of the life of the famous American statesman, philosopher, and writer, Benjamin Franklin, written between 1771 and 1790. It was originally written for his son William, then the Governor of New Jersey. The narrative is divided into four parts reflecting the different periods in which the parts were written. The work records Franklin's poverty, his rise to wealth through hard work, and his relations, travels, and adventures.